Mini Golden Retriever Basics

The Mini Golden Retriever is the trifecta of Designer Dogs, bringing the gentle, loving nature of the Golden Retriever together with the feisty spirit of a Cocker Spaniel and the low-shedding properties of a Miniature Poodle for a great family dog that is friendly, eager to please and a minimal shedder.

The Mini Golden Retriever incorporates the Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel and Miniature Poodle!

Origin

The Mini Golden Retriever dates back to the early 2000s and unlike most Designer Dogs, he can bring not just two purebreds into the mix but three. To achieve the smaller size, breeders originally crossed a Golden Retriever with a Cocker Spaniel (which produces a Golden Cocker) and then bred that dog to a Miniature poodle to introduce the sought-after hypo-allergenic characteristics of a poodle. Because of the snappish nature of the Cocker Spaniel, many breeders eliminated him from the mix and now use just the Golden Retriever with the Miniature Poodle.

Pedigree

Mini Golden Retrievers are considered a cross-breed and as such are not members of the American Kennel Clubs (AKC). Their lineage however is quite impressive; the Poodle joined AKCs “sporting” group in 1887 while the Cocker Spaniel and Golden Retriever joined the same group in 1878 and 1925 respectively.

Food/Diet

Your Mini Golden Retriever is a medium sized dog that will need a high-quality food that reflects his age, size and activity level. Because he has a tendency to become fat, meals should be spaced throughout the day – don’t free feed him. Kibble should be high in protein and low in fillers such as carbs that will make him want to over-eat to feel full. The Poodle DNA in your dog may result in digestive issues later in life so avoid high fat foods.

The Mini Golden Retriever’s keen-to-please nature makes him an easy dog to train.

Training

The Mini Golden Retriever is one smart cookie and his keen-to-please nature makes him an easy dog to train. With Cocker Spaniel in his DNA it is important that both his obedience and socialization training is done early on. As with most dogs, rewards-based training with lots of praise and treats of your choice will get the results you are looking for.

Weight

Your Mini Golden Retriever will weigh in between 20 to 50 pounds.

Temperament/Behavior

The Mini Golden Retriever is a gentle obedient and friendly dog that does well in a family environment. He doesn’t do well when left alone for long periods and can suffer from separation anxiety. This, coupled with the fact he likes to bark makes him an ideal watchdog but not great for apartment living. With the addition of Cocker Spaniel DNA, you may find your Mini has a bit of attitude – but that can be addressed through early training.

Common Health Problems

Health issues that present in pure-breds can often by-pass a Designer Dog however you should always be aware of what your new pooch may inherit. With the Mini Golden Retriever you have three breeds contributing and and potential health problems could include joint issues, certain cancers, Cushings or Willebrand’s.

Life Expectancy

The average life span of a Miniature Golden Retriever is 10 to 15 years.

Exercise Requirements

The Mini Golden Retriever is a pooch with lots of energy and because he brings the traits of a regular sized Golden to the table, you have a dog that loves to swim, play and fetch. He will need at least 30 minutes of solid exercise each day and this can include a good long walk, hike or run. Visiting your local dog park for an active game of catch will help break up his routine and keep this dog healthy and fit.

The Mini Golden Retriever is a gentle obedient and friendly dog.

Recognized Clubs

This beautiful boy is known by many names such as Comfort Retriever, Golden Cavalier and Petite Golden Retriever. Because the Mini Golden Retriever is a cross-breed dog he is not recognized by the American Kennel Club however he is recognized by the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA) and the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC).

Coat

Mini Golden Retrievers are typically bred to have the coat of the Golden Retriever which is a longer wavy double-coat. Because of the Poodle component they do shed less and are considered to be a low- to moderate shedding dog which means brushing just 2 to 3 times per week will have him looking his best. Bathing can be done as needed and because of his floppy ears, inspection and cleaning should be done weekly to prevent infection.

Puppies

The influence of the Cocker Spaniel on your baby Mini Golden Retriever can result in a dog that is a little stubborn so early socialization and obedience training is essential. Because obesity can become an issue with these dogs, be careful not to overfeed him and ensure his activity levels keep him trim but don’t over-exert his tiny bones and joints which may cause problems later in life.

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